Pharmacist Suspended for Forging a Prescription for Codeine Amid Alleged Threats

Date of Decision: November 24, 2022

Registrant's Role: Pharmacist

Allegations:

• The pharmacist was convicted at Wiltshire Magistrates’ Court on 14 April 2021 for:
• Forgery—creating a false prescription for a large quantity of codeine.
• Presenting the forged prescription to a colleague at Boots pharmacy.
• The forged prescription:
• Used a former university acquaintance’s prescriber details without their knowledge.
• Was for 2000ml of codeine oral solution, an opioid known for its high risk of misuse and addiction.
• Contained errors (missing patient DOB) that the pharmacist hoped would be noticed, preventing the supply.
• The GPhC accepted that the pharmacist was allegedly threatened into writing the prescription by an unknown male who had approached him outside his home.
• The pharmacist did not report the threats to police or his employer, instead choosing to write the false prescription in an attempt to resolve the situation.
• Boots staff became suspicious, contacted the listed prescriber (who denied issuing it), and reported the pharmacist to the police.

Outcome: Suspension for 4 months

GPhC Standards Breached:

• Standard 1 – Provide Person-Centred Care
• Standard 2 – Work in Partnership with Others
• Standard 5 – Use Professional Judgment
• Standard 6 – Behave in a Professional Manner
• Standard 8 – Speak Up When Things Go Wrong
• Standard 9 – Demonstrate Leadership

Case Summary

Original Case Document